Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace and Michael Sarver – Press Conference

At least they realize that enough is enough when it comes to sob stories :)

I’m pretty impressed with what Danny and Michael said. They have a practical view of things. (Also delighted that Danny wants to have some fun; maybe we won’t get too many inspirational songs from him.) Not slamming Alexis–she did fine but nothing too enlightening there.

Danny Gokey, I love you more. :)

I think people relate to that and, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s special to their hearts.

Awww! For some reason, I found that really sweet. XD

I know Michael didn’t completely wow everyone this week (not even me, unfortunately, and I was rooting for him), but he really does seem like a nice guy and his sing off performance was awesome. So I’m really hoping he shows what he has during the Top 12.

Well, Danny, y’know people might not be so sick of your story, y’know, if you didn’t mention it several times per episode, y’know and you didn’t, y’know, sing such, y’know, inspirational songs and talk about wanting to help people succeed, y’know.

LOL! Danny must read this blog. Normally I would say that is very bad idea to read stuff about yourself online, but in his case, it’s probably a good idea. Sounds like he’s getting clued in. Even though I for one have had no problem with his story, it’s good to see he has some realization outside the bubble right now. And sounds like Michael wants to be an inspiration too, but since he doesn’t have the sob story, it is a lot easier to swallow I guess. It is so hilarious to read the stuttering that you might not normally even notice when hearing them speak. I wonder why they had to transcribe it like that….syllable for syllable. Weird, but okie dokie! :)

It sounds like they are all pretty self aware. That can only benefit them in this show.

I hope somebody has clued Gokey in. If so let’s see if he can resist the urge to try to save us all with his holy light and just, y’know, sing!

Hilarious though that he is still convinced that he’s so deep and has reached people on such a deep level. Sheesh, dude. Get over yourself.

The y’knows are very, very, very, irritating, y’know.

KrazeeK120 says Well, Danny, yà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢know people might not be so sick of your story, yà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢know, if you didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t mention it several times per episode,
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I don’t understand what is wrong with him talking about his wife that died.

Shut up, GoobledyGokey!

ETA: Gokey and Friends must have read the boards and they’ve seen the hate…this is damage control, I think.

Normally I would say that is very bad idea to read stuff about yourself online, but in his case, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s probably a good idea. Sounds like heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s getting clued in.

Thank. God. And, not a moment too soon.

Gokey and Friends read the boards and theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve seen the hateà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦this is damage control, I think.

So what if it is. It’s a press conference with very fair and legit questions being asked. As long as they get the clues, then more power to ‘em.

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t understand what is wrong with him talking about his wife that died.

Nothing, as long as it’s not brought up every single time he is interviewed. I feel like he’s using it for pity votes and I’m tired of it.

KrazeeK120 says

Nothing, as long as ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not brought up every single time he is interviewed.
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So what is wrong with that? Maybe it is therapeutic for him.

I feel like heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s using it for pity votes and Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m tired of it.
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Well that is your opinion as you said that you feel that way but I disagree. He should do whatever he has to do to get through his loss.

Uh, but I wanna be able to, yà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢know appeal to people on a fun level too, as opposedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’yà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢knowà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’and also in the deeper level that I showed à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹em.

Now he sounds like a politican, who wants to please everyone.

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Honestly, this is a sob story I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t want but it is shaping my life, and ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s causing hope for a lot of people. Now I have my mission set in stone.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

Oh please.. :rolleyes_ee:

Now he sounds like a politican, who wants to please everyone.

Ah, that’s a good way of putting it!

Wow, Ryan asked decent questions. I like the responses; they seem genuine. It can be construed as damage control, honest answers, or personal awareness. Whatever. They have an inkling of the public’s perception of them. It will be interesting to see what happens next.

Do you think Tatiana will be next on KISS? Maybe not since she’s not officially out until the wild card round.

I had nothing to do with it

Seriously? Psychics must have ferreted out that your wife just died weeks before your audition and offered up images of her from their mind.

Spin away, Gokey, spin away.

Damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t.

Seriously? Psychics must have ferreted out that your wife just died weeks before your audition and offered up images of her from their mind. Spin away, Gokey, spin away.

That was his response to the question specifically about him being put into front runner status, NOT about his wife and his story.

I had nothing to do with it

Seriously? Psychics must have ferreted out that your wife just died weeks before your audition and offered up images of her from their mind. Spin away, Gokey, spin away.

I thought he was referring to the frontrunner/pimpage; i.e. camera time, pimp spot and etc, imo.

But he’s the poster boy of what happens when you open up about your personal life, the press/AI runs with it and personal attacks can occur. I’m really appreciating the foresight David Cook had in downplaying his brother’s cancer.

Personally, I don’t have a problem with how he’s handled it, but I’m wondering if he has any regrets in talking about it. I’m sure it’s not fun seeing the death of his wife (and how’s he’s handled it) disrespected on the internet.

I can’t help but think that he should be around friends and family through this process, not in a publicity machine where he’s scrutinized. So be it. He put himself in this position, he allowed the cameras in, he offered the video footage, so I can’t feel sorry for him. And I’m not sure he feels sorry for it either. He seems very fatalistic-it’s out of my hands- about it all which is kinda weird.

He seems very fatalistic-ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s out of my hands- about it all which is kinda weird.

AGAIN, he was responding that way about his front runner status, not the backstory.

Damage control alert.

I’m not buying the idea that he had no role in this. It wouldn’t have been possible without his cooperation. Hopefully we’ll now hear less about it and the show will return at least somewhat to being a singing contest as opposed to an episode of Oprah. I doubt Danny is going to be able to resist the urge to proselytize though. I mean, his mission?

IMO, his frontrunner status is due to his backstory. It’s all sickeningly intertwined that way, so even if he may not have had a hand in how he’s portrayed on the show but he sure gave them enough footage to do so.

Now he sounds like a politican, who wants to please everyone.

Hmm, to me, he’s always given off that politico, insincere faker vibe.

I suppose the damage control might be effective if the pimping and the exploitation of tragedy were the only reasons people didn’t like him. For me, those reasons are pretty far down my list of why I think Danny is a douchebag. I even dislike Danny’s seriously stupid facial hair more than I do the pimpage.

But, I guess we should just be grateful that Danny has arrived to give us hope and show us his deeper level.

Thanks but no thanks. The last place I’m looking for inspiration in life is a tv talent show. Don’t take yourselves too seriously contestants. All I need you to do is entertain me a couple of hours a week.

Some thoughts about Gokey’s “mission” and message of hope…

I see it has someone who is funneling their grief/anger into some purpose in order to make sense of it or as a testimony to their life. Sorta of like the mom who started MADD, the Walsh guy and his work with adducted children, or the parents who pushed the Amber alert legislation. It *seems* that’s what’s he’s trying to do with the foundation created in his wife’s name. Obviously, it’s not what most people do with their grief or there would be a million of these foundations and etc. But he’s got the passion for it, so I think he should go with it. It’s his way of trying to make her life/death count.

Yeah, I get it can come across as preachy or Oprah-ish, but imo, it’s better than the messages from Bikini girl (“use your body to get ahead”) or Tatiana (“it’s all about me”).

I can’t believe I’m posting so much on this guy…I don’t buy him as the frontrunner…but I’m kinda shocked at all the backlash (which is perfectly all right for people to have). Is there normally this much? I really haven’t followed AI is this closely in the early rounds.

Danny’s “mission” and personal faith are all his own.

I’m of a mind that I’m not being converted, inspired, or the victim of someone’s proselytizing unless I want to be. Same reason why I turn off my TV every time a news story features Sarah Palin.

Is there normally this much? I really havenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t followed AI is this closely in the early rounds.

This is the worst I’ve seen.

Fun to listen to this. They sound excited.

I hope Danny also knows that he has way more fans than haters. I looked on a couple of other sites to see if it was similar to what I’ve been seeing here and it wasn’t. More seemed to like him. I think he’ll learn fast to not read idol sites. I’m sure it’s brutal for those on reality shows.

Thanks, Gwend. I’m trying to figure out why he’s so polarizing, at least around here :)

And I think I’m done with posting on this…

This is the worst Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve seen.

And I thought you were here during Season 5? I guess not. lol.

Danny’s mission is his own but why do we have to keep hearing about it during a singing competition? That’s the trouble I have. It’s grating.

And I thought you were here during Season 5? I guess not. lol.

Heh. I guess I was here but not here. Hmmmm, that there sounds temptin’.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m of a mind that Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not being converted, inspired, or the victim of someoneà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s proselytizing unless I want to be. Same reason why I turn off my TV every time a news story features Sarah Palin.

I’m not sure I follow you. Are you saying that we should just turn off Idol if we don’t like the preaching? But that doesn’t seem very fair to those of us who want to watch the show but don’t want the proselytizing. Sure we can stop watching and maybe some of us will, but we can still complain about it too. :)

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t understand what is wrong with him talking about his wife that died.

Because it’s a singing competition, not a competition to see who can have the most heart-wrenching sad story. Because it’s not right to use one’s personal misfortunes to gain sympathy and ultimately maybe try to win votes that way. Because that kind of emotional manipulation does not sit well with many people.

Most of us want to watch a singing competition, not a schlocky show full of angst and sob stories. That turns the whole thing into a circus. How about the guy who held up the wife’s picture and pointed to heaven? Is that what we’re going to be subjected to every week?

Thanks but no thanks. The last place Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m looking for inspiration in life is a tv talent show. Donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t take yourselves too seriously contestants. All I need you to do is entertain me a couple of hours a week.

Exactly. Thank you. :)

This is the worst Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve seen.

And I thought you were here during Season 5?

my god, season 5!!! what fond memories of mjsbigblog during season 5.

comments about danny pale in comparison

Sorta of like the mom who started MADD, the Walsh guy and his work with adducted children, or the parents who pushed the Amber alert legislation.

Oh no, no, no, no. Danny is certainly no John Walsh. John Walsh is a man who made it his life’s mission to turn his own personal tragedy into something that positively impacted the safety of children everywhere. He left an extremely succesful career to toil (at the time) in relative obscurity. Busting his ass all over the country to the detriment of his own life creating and changing legislation. When John started his mission he had no idea he’d get a tv show. And, even with that, he’s never given up his fight to force our government to spend money on our safety. Plus, his tv show catches criminals.

Danny is using his tragedy to advance his OWN career in the entertainment business. Not even close. Danny is not channeling his grief into an endeavor that helps others.

Not to mention, most of america doesn’t even know the name of the mother who started MADD, let alone what she looks like. And, getting every state on board with the Amber Alert system was a huge, time-consuming undertaking that brought Amber’s mother nothing but the satisfaction of knowing that she protected children. It didn’t bring her fame, or a record contract.

Re Danny, I’m ready to cut the guy some slack, especially now that he’ll be behind the scenes for a few weeks. Hopefully for his sake and ours, the backstory will be left behind (no pun intended!).

I’m sure now that we’ve gotten Bikini Girl, Joanna, Tatiana and Danny raked over the coals, the media and the internets will find somebody else to set their sights on. Adam, I hope you’re ready!

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not sure I follow you. Are you saying that we should just turn off Idol if we donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t like the preaching? But that doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t seem very fair to those of us who want to watch the show but donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t want the proselytizing.

No, dear. I’m saying that’s what I do. I don’t tell other people what to do. :)

edit: stay on topic

And I thought you were here during Season 5? I guess not. lol.

Heh. I guess I was here but not here. Hmmmm, that there sounds temptinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢.

What happened in S5?

my god, season 5!!! what fond memories of mjsbigblog during season 5.

comments about danny pale in comparison

Really? I am assuming poor Taylor was the one who took the brunt of the hatred here that season? I am guessing him because he seemed to be very polarizing in every day conversations I had with people about him.

Really? I am assuming poor Taylor was the one who took the brunt of the hatred here that season? I am guessing him because he seemed to be very polarizing in every day conversations I had with people about him.

as per mj’s wish to keep comments to this season only and the particular topic of this thread, i am not going to fall into the season 5 rat hole. let’s just leave it as if you weren’t here at that time, you really missed one hell of a dialog – nite after nite. memories, sweet memories.

as per mjà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s wish to keep comments to this season only and the particular topic of this thread, i am not going to fall into the season 5 rat hole. letà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s just leave it as if you werenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t here at that time, you really missed one hell of a dialog

Ah okay. Got it. It just peaked my curiosity as to what could possibly be worse than what I’ve seen this year, but it’s always possible!

as per mjà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s wish to keep comments to this season only and the particular topic of this thread, i am not going to fall into the season 5 rat hole. letà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s just leave it as if you werenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t here at that time, you really missed one hell of a dialog – nite after nite. memories, sweet memories.

I have to apologize to you all. I made an offtopic comment. But yeah, it got pretty intense around these parts during Season 5.

Again, *mods self* Carry on peeps. :).

Really? I am assuming poor Taylor was the one who took the brunt of the hatred here that season? I am guessing him because he seemed to be very polarizing in every day conversations I had with people about him.

You would be 100% wrong. Kat McPhee was the target back then, and I’ll just leave it at that…

Back to your regularly scheduled program.

I hope Danny also knows that he has way more fans than haters. I looked on a couple of other sites to see if it was similar to what Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve been seeing here and it wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t.

Let’s try not to generalize about the conversations here. I really don’t think comparing the conversation on my site to IDF or other sites is what we should be discussing here? My little offtopic off hand remark was also a really bad idea. Let’s get back to topic. OK?

Thanks mj for some clues. I didn’t watch AI until Season 7′s Billie Jean week so I don’t have anything to compare to. However, calling this a “competition” at the same time pimping one single particular person SO MUCH seems like such a hypocritical thing to do.

Sorry Hokey Gokey but from what i’ve seen so far i’m just not buying a word of that, y’know.

question to mj:

in no way am i interested in rehashing season 5, but i am curious about something. what happened to all of the comments from those good old days? as you well remember, there used to be 1000′s of comments some nights. i looked in the archives but none are still there. did they all get deleted in one of the migrations of your blog or did you just delete them to free up some space? by chance, did you keep them on other storage so you could revisit them for a laugh?

^^^ I was using a different comments server back then. I probably could dig them up but…Nah.

quick question – I thought I read somewhere that Alexis has kind of a sad backstory of her own, that her dad has to have some sort of heart operation or transplant and that she’s trying to help him out with money for that. am I totally off on this? I don’t remember this getting any show coverage, but I may have missed it.

In past seasons, I don’t remember the contestants being interviewed so early on. Did they go on Ryan’s show like they did today and/or have press conferences this early in the season?

Well, snaps to Danny for being self-aware. Hopefully, both of these issues– his front-runner status and dead wife pimping–will disappear in the next few weeks.

IdolFanatic- actually it was Kat, not Taylor, if I remember correctly.

I’ve watched 8 seasons of AI and have never joined one of the “I hate…(insert selected Idol)” clubs. It’s a TV show, it’s supposed to be fun. If it makes your blood pressure go up, I have always thought, turn it off. Idols have bored me, some have irritated me, and one left me feeling slightly molested in my living room (thanks for that Constantine), but I have never hated any of them. This guy is getting real close. I thought the audition tape was bad but I gave him the benefit of the doubt – fresh grief/editing etc. However this guy is not covering himself in glory on LIVE TV. You can’t blame producer pimpage/manipulation for your own douchetastic behavior on live television. Hero? Seriously? and the picture during the reprise? I have no words for just how objectionable I find him to be. He better start worrying about the music and not his mission or despite the pimpage the producers will drop him and set him up to be the shock!boot! of the season.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m sure now that weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve gotten Bikini Girl, Joanna, Tatiana and Danny raked over the coals, the media and the internets will find somebody else to set their sights on. Adam, I hope youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re ready!

Just wait until his youtube videos start getting more attention. I just have a feeling for some reason that next week is not going to be pretty…

I’m just going to wait until the final 12 begins and judge Danny based on his performance. He’s generally just been okay for me, not wow. I’m going to ignore his back story because I really don’t much care as it relates to who I think should win a singing contest. Especially at this stage.

The emotions, both for and against, are amazing to me and will just have everyone digging their opinions in deeper than seems warranted at this point.

stelladallas ~ I don’t remember them having presscons this early but I have faulty memory. David Cook had to address Covergate on the live show itself, and there were no presscons about it although I think Nigel and Ryan talked about it on his radio show.

It does dovetail into their REALITY thrust this year. I wouldn’t put it past them to have Big Brother 24/7 cams if the contestants allowed it. Also, I wouldn’t put it past TPTB to have read the kerfuffle and try to do some damage control on one of their future arena-selling favorites.

quick question – I thought I read somewhere that Alexis has kind of a sad backstory of her own, that her dad has to have some sort of heart operation or transplant and that sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s trying to help him out with money for that. am I totally off on this? I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t remember this getting any show coverage, but I may have missed it.

sparklesgirl2, I know what you are talking about. I did read somewhere that Alexis’ dad needs a heart transplant. I don’t remember the source so I have no idea if it’s true.

Props to Danny and Michael for being up-to-date on their situations!
Hopefully they will use that knowledge to their advantage.
(All the “y’knows” are hilarious!)

This does seem really early for contestants to be having this many interviews. But in the past seasons the Top 12 was revealed pretty much all at once and thus interviewed all at once – not split into 4 groups. This season it looks like AI’s doing separate media runs for each group. So… yeah, hope that made sense.

(Oh no, please spare Adam internet!)

stelladallas ~ I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t remember them having presscons this early but I have faulty memory. David Cook had to address Covergate on the live show itself, and there were no presscons about it although I think Nigel and Ryan talked about it on his radio show.

The press conferences at this stage of the game last year (semis) were with the 4 contestants eliminated from the show each week. We had no idea who was in the top 12 until the last 4 contestants were eliminated. Then, after that last elimination show, the Top 12 did a bunch of press stuff.

Seriously, did they need to add in all the y’knows in the transcript?

Danny’s little interview does not make me like him any better. Seriously Danny, if you get asked about it all the time, can’t you just say you don’t want to talk about it? Can you tell your friend not to hold pictures up while you sing?

I’m surprise that no one talked about how, y’know, (I had to put one in!) talented the other contestants are. Because that kind of stuff is always said during Idol interviews. I was sort of expecting a comment like that to pop up.

KrazeeK120
Feb 19th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
quick question – I thought I read somewhere that Alexis has kind of a sad backstory of her own, that her dad has to have some sort of heart operation or transplant and that sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s trying to help him out with money for that. am I totally off on this? I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t remember this getting any show coverage, but I may have missed it.

sparklesgirl2, I know what you are talking about. I did read somewhere that Alexisà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ dad needs a heart transplant. I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t remember the source so I have no idea if ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s true.

Thanks :) I enjoyed your “y’knows” earlier by the way!

Yeah I read on VFTW about that heart transplant thing. Well, if it’s true, at least she didn’t bring it up on live television.

Danny needs to learn how to answer questions, seriously.

There have been complaints about other Idols exploiting their backstories. In season 1, Nikki Mckibbon was criticized for having her little boy in the audience. I think she even brought him on stage once. Audiences have always been skeptical of attempts to use backstories to reach us instead of being professional and relying on singing and performances. That is why David Cook tried not to have his brother’s story told, because he didn’t want to exploit it.

I was shocked last night when the friend held up the picture and pointed to heaven, yadda yadda. Talk about blatant.

Let’s hope it does die down and that Danny stops talking about his wife and that the judges stop pimping him and that Danny has a good talk with his friend about how to behave on camera. Then maybe we can watch a singing competition. But what am I saying. This is Idol. If the contestants don’t manipulate, the producers will. Arrr.

So the contestants are doing press conferences now? Kinda early in the competition. Interesting.

I don’t blame him for getting the pimp spot, but I do blame the producers for shoving him down our throats. I do blame him for his cocky/preachy ‘tude. I also blame him for selecting a boring song and being clueless enough to think that’s enough to inspire us. Or to think that his story alone is inspiring. I would like to know what he has done in life to think that he’s inspiring.

He says he wants to have fun? Well, do it and don’t tell me. Bring it on. Quit having your friends wave pictures of your dead wife in the audience. That’s not so fun.

Oh, and his sing out last night was terrible.

Being the early frontrunner can be the kiss of death. I’m not sure he realizes that. The producers probably ensured him a spot on tour. I doubt he gets much farther than that.

However, calling this a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“competitionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  at the same time pimping one single particular person SO MUCH seems like such a hypocritical thing to do.

Heh heh. Welcome to Idol. This is what they do. In season 1 they pimped Justin. That’s why it took years for me to start liking him afterwards. In season 2 they pimped Ruben. I was a Clay fan, so that highly annoyed me.

In 3 they pimped Fantasia. Well she was the best, but it annoyed some people. In 4 they pimped, who was it? Carrie I think. Yes it almost made me dislike her. I wanted Constantine, silly me (I’ve come to my sense since then).

Season 5, have I skipped a season here? Was that the season of Taylor? Yes. Okay they pimped someone, who was it? Cat. I thought they pimped Cat. They didn’t pimp Taylor.

Season 6, they pimped Jordin, instead of Melinda. Season 7, they pimped David A for the most part. But Randy and Paula liked David C also.

Pimping is what they do. It never gets easier to accept it though. LOL

The funniest thing to me last night was when Simon tried to claim credit for knowing that Kelly Clarkson had “IT” right in the semi-finals. Bullshit!! He didn’t appreciate Kelly until the show was 2/3 over. It was obvious, and he has said so himself. He was a fan of Tamyra. He also had a huge crush on Christina Christian, and he pimped Justin. He didn’t like Kelly because she wasn’t thin enough for his standards, and she wasn’t stylish enough. She didn’t fit his image of a pop idol. He finally got on board with her after Tamyra left and as it became crystal clear that Kelly was a much better singer than Justin (or anyone else on the show).

Simon often gets it wrong and I think he’s embarrassed about that now and tries to rewrite history. That’s okay though. I’m often wrong too but I do admit it. lol

oceana…S5 was the season of CHRIS! OMG! DAUGHTRY! How could you forget ;)

And pj is right…early frontrunner all but guarantees a 6-10th place finish. Danny can jump up and down and say “Look! Me! Over here! I will inspire you! Listen to me!” as much as he wants but ultimately I do think, as usual, America will wise up to his average vocals and annoying personality and he’ll be gone.

Oh yeah, Daughtry! LOL. He was pimped too.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m just going to wait until the final 12 begins and judge Danny based on his performance.

Me too. And I do think he has an awesome voice.

Regarding Adam:

Just wait until his youtube videos start getting more attention. I just have a feeling for some reason that next week is not going to be prettyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

I know…I think the entire AI internet world will implode.

Am I missing something, or is there more to the Adam story than his being a glamour puss (tm Andrew Lloyd Webber)? I don’t really think that’s all that controversial, especially in the entertainment industry.

Why, because he did drag-queen kinds of performances? I haven’t seen the videos but everyone knows he’s a flamboyant gay man. A large segment of the audience won’t mind that at all.

Well I’m glad that Danny is aware of some people’s negative reactions to his story. I hope he puts that awareness to good use. But even minus the incessant whoring out of the sob story, I still don’t think I can like him. He’s too vanilla and boring and his voice doesn’t really doesn’t do it for me.

As to Adam, I haven’t seen anything that even remotely shocked me but I was born and raised in Los Angeles.

Why, because he did drag-queen kinds of performances? I havenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t seen the videos but everyone knows heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a flamboyant gay man. A large segment of the audience wonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t mind that at all.

I am personally looking forward to his performances, but I have to say, I don’t recall ever seeing any (intentional) drag-queen performances on American Idol. LOL

Ditto what Natasha said. I live in L. A. too. Everything we have seen has been a performance and he always plays to his audience. Obviously he is a terrific actor. I am sure the reporters who have the American Idol beat have already searched the tube. But you are right, it’s not going to be pretty with the posting. Maybe we will be pleasantly surprised, but somehow I doubt it. Is Von in the same group? If so, it might spread the wealth around, so to speak.

Is it me, but does there seem to be more colorful characters this season than in previous seasons?

I live in Chicago, but saw my first drag show in the deep south about 18 years ago. I just don’t think it’s a big deal anymore. Maybe on Idol, but maybe not. If Adam has the chops, I think he’ll be fine. If he continues to butcher Cher songs, then he won’t. We’ll see.

Is it me, but does there seem to be more colorful characters this season than in previous seasons?

I think that’s what the producers are hoping.

When a contestant auditions there is a questionnaire to fill out, and one question is something like,”Is there anything interesting about you or something we need to be aware of?”

Danny answered the question.

I know Michael didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t completely wow everyone this week (not even me, unfortunately, and I was rooting for him), but he really does seem like a nice guy and his sing off performance was awesome…

That’s right – it was a beautiful song Michael wrote for his wife, Tiffany. Simon must realize this song could become a hit. Although it hasn’t been recorded, I see that happening in the near future. Kara, the songwriter, will love that.

I have a definite feeling that no matter what he says… no matter what he sings… and no matter what he does… you people are still going to hate his gutz.. It shocks me.. I expect people to be pissed at contestants for doing things such as beating their wives, having previous recording contracts (being plants), and so on.. not for being inspirational, Christian, or hopeful… I understand how the pimping can be annoying but that can’t be avoided, it never was and never will be… and I can also understand how his role at his church could be a bummer.. but making fun of him for trying to be inspirational and such… I donno… everyone is acting like its soo politically incorrect.. the question I have for the haters is this… what does he need to do for you to think he’s ok cuz I truly am not convinced that he could do anything… I personally like Danny and am glad that he is trying to be himself… even if he was a jerk at his church to others I gotta say… a lot of people I have heard are acting like jerks themselves… contradicting?? much?? donno… I’ve made my point.. Here is to yet another crazy season of American Idol.. oyee
Dev

Interesting quote from Micheal Sarver concerning Danny.. at least some people think he’s a cool dude..

“Another story on the show that really hits me is Danny Gokey becaue my wife is my absolute best friend. And I tell you, if she did pass away, I don’t understand how I could wake up the next day. To not only view him on the show but to be around him and see the incredible person that he is, I have mad, mad respect for Danny Gokey.”

Micheal seems like such a nice guy!

Also, I wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t put it past TPTB to have read the kerfuffle and try to do some damage control on one of their future arena-selling favorites.

I’m still scratching my head over this comment. Leaving his back-story completely out of it … I just don’t get this at all.

This is my comment you’re quoting. What don’t you understand?

Danny reads MJ’s!!!!

He talks like he gets it…

but if his wife and/or an inspirational song pops out the next time I see him on the idol stage I’ll think he’s no talk and all action.

You know, I was thinking. I don’t seem to remember the backstories as much from last season. I remember Angela Martin with the baby but that is the only one I can seem sticking out in my mind. I know about David’s brother, but that didn’t come until later in the season and even then flew under the radar as far as most backstories go.

I remember season 3 being the season I became entirely fed up with sob story. (Fantasia Barrino, anyone?) and after that I’ve always had a hard time getting behind any contestant that seemed to have a story that introduced them to us that involved with any form of something that was going to pull at someone’s heart strings one way or another.

I just don’t remember last year being that way as badly as in the past.

Damn, they should have continued that trend THIS YEAR. I think we had enough sob stories to make up for the lack of them previously.

Sorry if this is too much on other seasons MJ. Feel free to delete if you think it breaks rules.

I remember last year’s backstories were DA’s voice paralysis, KLC’s horse selling, DC as bartender and Nanny Brooke. It wasn’t like this, I think.

edit: don’t lecture. if you’re a newbie, read my guidlines

the reason I made a comment about Adam’s videos is that, while most of us don’t think anything about them, there is a large portion of the public, and probably some AI watchers, who would. Sadly, even with as far as we have come as a nation, I don’t think we’re quite “there” yet. I’ve even already seen some comments here about how people just can’t deal with the whole “overtly gay thing” and don’t like Adam. Some don’t care but there is a portion that would be turned off.

Hopefully the only thing we have to contend with this week is the “screaming” criticism. But I’m bracing myself just in case. :) And yeah I wish Von was in the same group, not necessarily so he could share in whatever criticism, but because I wanted a smackdown, diva-style. Haha.

I remember last yearà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s backstories were DAà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s voice paralysis, KLCà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s horse selling, DC as bartender and Nanny Brooke. It wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t like this, I think.

You’re absolutely right! Because of the lack of or blandness of the backstories last year, is precisely why the producers have gone so overboard with them this year. The slippage in ratings they saw last year they interpreted as people being bored with last year’s chosen idols. So this year, they decided to go back to their roots so to speak, and give us backstory and drama galore! I really wish they’d find a happy medium.

Right on, themanwashere!

Last time I checked, AI is a reality show. They aren’t doing the show because they are trying to fulfill the dreams of a kid trying to make it in the music business.

They are in it to get big ratings so they can sell air time to advertisers and make lots of money. Whatever it takes to do that will be done.

ETA: And there’s nothing wrong with that.

btw, here’s a great, a bit objective comment from a rikcey.org reader

“Hmmmà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

Okay, for the poster who posted about the link to Faith Builders and the charity for his wifeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦that myth has already been debunked by the hater of all AI sites..VTFWà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦go read and find out. Donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t spread false info.

For the posters who canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t comprehend he would go on AI so soon after losing his ex-wifeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦google her bebo pageà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦she was clearly an AI fan and considered herself one of the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“soul patrol.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  This was his way of doing something she wanted him to do; that is also why it is so exciting to him that he makes the Top 12; kind of like he is sharing something with her, even though sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s gone.

To those who compare his wifeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s death to Cookà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s brotherà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦not even the same. AI didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t find out about DCà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s brother until later on in the competition, so they didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get to pimp the crap out of it upfront. AI found out about this early on and had the opportunity (and motive) to pimp it until it has turned normal, caring people into rabid, ugly dogs. Yes, Danny gave them the info, but, if your spouse had just passed away a few months ago, and you were auditioning because you know she was a fan, wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t you mention it? Actually, if any loved one of mine passed away, I imagine Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d be talking about it a lot, not for sympathy, but because, for some people, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a coping mechanism.

Has it gotten out of controlà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦well, yes. Is it Dannyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s fault? Not really; ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the fault of everyone as a whole, but mostly TPTB. Look at the publicity ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s generatingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦yes, yes, AI, we all fell into your trap once againà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦we will never learn.

I am the biggest Danny fan ever? No. I think heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s fairly good, depending on the song choice. I actually think I will be a huge Adam fan, with Danny falling somewhere between 2-6, and I am really rooting for Anoop to be brought back, and I think Rick Braddy got the raw end of the stick, so, no, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not a lovestruck Danny fan trying to defend him, just one of the few rational people left out there who is also willing to do a little googling to learn something about a person before randomly trashing themà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.

Tatianaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ I kind of enjoyed the crazy girl, butà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ her actions were repulsive on Wedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦she wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t the crazy girl that was entertainingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦she was a spoiled, little snot. EIGHT other people got the boot Wed!!! Did they act like her? No. AI set up the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“down to the wire final 2à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ³, so they are at fault. Danny, Ryan and I think, Casey or Stevie (look again..look closer) are the ONLY
three people that would even hug her!!! The others either avoided her, or tapped her on the shoulder, when she came to cry on them. Sheesh!!! Guess what? They had just been dumped on by AI too, and we are all supposed to weep for she who got the most screentime because Danny and the other rejectees didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t fall all over her? I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t see Michael Sarver or Alexis Grace run to console her with a hug? Are they bad people now too? Obviously, none of them cared much for herà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦do you blame them? Sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s entertaining to watch (when sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not heavily medicated), irritating on her meds, and someone I wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t want to spend much time losing sleep over either.”

KrazeeK120 says

Nothing, as long as ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not brought up every single time he is interviewed.
===========================================
So what is wrong with that? Maybe it is therapeutic for him.

I feel like heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s using it for pity votes and Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m tired of it.
======================================
Well that is your opinion as you said that you feel that way but I disagree. He should do whatever he has to do to get through his loss.

I agree that it can be therapeutic and is probably helping him get over his loss. The husband-wife relationship is probably the very closest relationship there is, and you develop a very strong bond. My season 6 favorite, Phil Stacey, also talked about his wife a lot, and even chose songs to sing that were directed to her, and included her in his music video. They have been married 10 years now, and in his bio you can find how important she is to him. It is very hard losing a spouse. My mom and several relatives have been there. Danny, and my mom as well, have their faith and the support of relatives and friends to help them deal with it. I am sure DAnny will not be mentioning her much any more from now on; but he should not be afraid of talking about her, especially when asked.

I don’t think Danny’s phony or preachy, just awkward and overly earnest. He can’t control what the PTB do, but if he’s smart he’ll start dialing it back now.

I like Danny as a singer and performer. I’m not wild about him, or anyone yet. I think he could and should have made to the top 36 it based on his talent and didn’t need the extra back story but it seems the PTB aren’t big on subtlety. I suspect the PTB are pimping Danny into the top 12 (or top 10 for the tour,maybe?) but I don’t want Danny to win this year. They had white male winner and runner up last year but I think they reckon he’ll be a big draw for a certain demographic for a while on the show and will be on the tour.

I don’t want to stray to far off topic but really, isn’t this kind of pimping seems to be a standard feature of this show? I wasn’t watching prior to Season 5 but I do remember:

S5 was the season of CHRIS! OMG! DAUGHTRY! How could you forget ;)

Yeah, I also distinctly remember the Pickler pimpage early in season 5, complete with her roller-skating waitress/being abandoned by Mama/Daddy in prison backstory. Funny thing about that, I didn’t like Kellie on the show, mainly because I didn’t think she was as good a singer or performer as some of the other less-pimped contestants, but I think she’s great now. The over-pimping seems to work for some – if they have the talent to back up the hype. It didn’t work in season 5, I think, because Taylor was a juggernaut even before the top 24 aired.

Maybe fans are just more aware of the obvious pimping and have grown tired of it because we’ve seen it before. I don’t know.

I agree with the poster from Ricky.org, and while I have liked Danny’s songs, I am not a rabid Danny fan. But seriously, the hate this guy has generated!

In a nutshell, a few months ago he was a seemingly happily married church music teacher living in the country’s heartland. His wife dies suddenly and he is now in the middle of a hate smear/love idolise campaign. I don’t know how well I would be coping with all this! I would think life is a bit surreal for him. It is controling him rather than him controling his destiny. Maybe he isn’t handling it well by some people’s standards, but isn’t the point of grief counciling to TALK about it? That’s what support groups do, unfortunately all of America has become his support group whether we like it or not. And a lot don’t. I think he is caught up in events and they are snowballing out of control. His actions are up to free interpretation depending on what people think of him. The haters think he is akin to the devil’s spawn and the lovers think he is inspirational. I just think he is out of his depths with anything that he has had to cope with before, the level of grief and the level of fame! I couldn’t do it.

I dislike everything about Danny. His 3 day stubble that makes him look like he needs a bath, his ever changing eyeglasses, his “I’ve got you” smug smile, the fact that he drags his BFF around with him to give him cred, that he changed “Music teacher” to Church Music Director” after he saw how the wind was blowing, his smoker’s voice, his insipid preachy self intros….I could go on and on.

Danny has played us all and The vast Heartland vote will follow him to the bitter end. The only good thing is the fact that as other contestants fall to the wayside their votes will never move over to Danny since they aren’t being fooled by his rhetoric and his woe is me I’m a widower attitude.

If Danny had wanted to play this straight up HE WOULD NEVER have mentioned his wife, allowed the pictures of her on TV, etc. And if AI had said they could do it without his permission he should have walked away. Somethings in life are a hell of a lot more important than a singing competition.

I remember last yearà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s backstories were DAà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s voice paralysis, KLCà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s horse selling, DC as bartender and Nanny Brooke.

You’re right, and I think the horse was brought up more often than all the other “sob” stories combined. This season they are just pulling out all the stops for the sake of drama.

I kind of hate it.

I’m not an Adam fan but don’t care at all about his videos, Sarah. It’s his theatrical style of singing that bothers me. I actually like his look. You could be right about a certain number in the audience but I’m not sure they’d have been for him in any case.

Great post, Themanwashere. I think Tatitana got what she wanted in the end which is more camera time to milk. I don’t feel sorry for her at all and curses to the judges if they bring her back for the wildcard show.

Pimping does seem to happen every season but there’s different levels of it. I thought Kellie and Elliott got more backstory than anyone during season 5 and Daughtry’s “pimping” happened after his “Hemmorage” performance which of course I agreed with. :laugh_tb: I think the judges praising or overpraising people is where the problem seems to begin. Fans think it’s fair and others don’t because it’s subjective. Now the producers form of pimping is different because it’s so obvious who they want to highlight. It’s not always someone they want to go far (Tatiana and Norman) but they love the drama. I’m not even sure they necessarily want Danny to go far in the competition. They just couldn’t resist his backstory. What’s unfortunate is it leaves many others not getting enough time on camera to make an impression which causes resentment. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

If he needs grief counseling, then probably exhuming his wife on national TV is not the way to go. And if he is out of his depth, he can always quit since he already honored his wife by auditioning and doing well. IF that was just the goal…so what does it mean by him continuing this? Maybe, he can see a future when he can think of his wife and not twist in grief. Sure. Maybe, he saw the press and saw how much he can reach out to people. Most likely. But maybe, he saw that he could be the next American Idol and saw all the possibilities. Mercenary but could happen. Even to Gokey.

For me, the issue with Danny is that the level of talent does not match the level of hype. Simple. as. that.

Also, theraputic or no, a nationally televised singing competition is not the place for him to be working through his feelings, emotions, whatever, or go thru the grieving process. This is not an episode of Oprah or Dr Phil. Pickler’s story may have been highlighted at first, but was quickly replaced by her “dumb blonde” spiel.

Oh dear god make it stop.

>>On whether or not his backstory is getting overwhelming and annoying, Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s only been seven months since sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s passed. And, yà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢know, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not that I throw it in peopleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s faces, but I get asked about it all the time. It weighs on my mind a lot, though. Because Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢dà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’yà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢know, honestly, this is a sob story I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t want. But it is shaping my life. And ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s causing hope for a lot of people and not only that, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s causing hope for my life. >>

Did he just say its not like he throws it in people’s faces? Like every freaking chance he gets screen time. Look spanky……you get asked about it because you made the event a centerpiece and if you didnt want to make her the excuse for why people should vote for you then you politely say you arent comfortable talking about it and next question. If it were ONLY the producers who brought up the tragedy it would be one thing but he made it a point to make sure she was in every single snippet of him and that turned me off. I think he sees that and will try to reverse the damage. I dont think you will be hearing much more about his dead wife but the question will be, is it too late.

I dont know what it is about this guy but Im not feeling the love or the sincerity for him and I dont like being played which is what I believe has been happening.

For me, the issue with Danny is that the level of talent does not match the level of hype. Simple. as. that.

And there you go. Yep. This is exactly how I feel.

^Add me plz.

Danny’s Hero, especially the one on Wednesday, for me was pretty much horrible. The way he sang “heart”, “answer”, “ohhoh”, wow, in my friend’s words “originally annoying”.

I actually turned the channel when Hero started on wednesday. Didn’t need to hear that again. LOL.

edit: don’t lecture posters

Yes, Danny gave them the info, but, if your spouse had just passed away a few months ago, and you were auditioning because you know she was a fan, wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t you mention it? Actually, if any loved one of mine passed away, I imagine Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d be talking about it a lot, not for sympathy, but because, for some people, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a coping mechanism.

I must have missed the part where it was mentioned that his wife was a fan. I think that’s pretty important.

It’s not that I don’t like that Danny’s wife is being mentioned all the time, it’s that no one else’s sob story or back story has been featured anywhere near as prominently as Danny’s. The only other back story I really remember is the blonde dreadlock girl who got booted after the group round. I’m sure there are others in the semis who have just as, or even more so, tragic stories they’ve lived through. The fact that just Danny seems to be getting the attention for his isn’t fair.

And the pimping isn’t just Danny and his wife. The Hollywood episodes were “The Tatiana Show featuring Danny and Jamar.” They showed a lot of Danny and Jamar, about how they’re such good friends, etc. etc.

Danny reminds me of two-face from “The Dark Knight” one side protrays sincerety of a lost his wife the other the smugness of the stare to tatinana. I highly doubt he flips a cion to deside how to act. The problem is with Danny this is not a movie or a stage to play out that particular role .Danny you were found out and now in retreat? Dude I do not like being played and also your not that great …

Also, I wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t put it past TPTB to have read the kerfuffle and try to do some damage control on one of their future arena-selling favorites.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m still scratching my head over this comment. Leaving his back-story completely out of it à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ I just donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get this at all.

This is my comment youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re quoting. What donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t you understand?

Sorry, I should have clarified. Paula’s statement during Hollywood week about Danny selling out arenas. I just don’t see that happening. Ever.

I am not a Danny fan, yet. He seems just okay to me, nice voice but not fantastic. I am waiting to be wowed by him. And I think the whole wife thing is overdone. And he comes across a little smug to me.

But I have to say I’m stunned by the verocity of the negative feelings toward him. Wow. I hope the AI interns are taking note and telling TPTB to tone down the shenanigins.

I want this boy to lose because he’s not just not that good. Not because AI created a huge backlash. That’s part of the game, of course. But still…

I’ve been reading (here and other sites) a lot of comments that say this backstory thing is all about AI and that Danny had nothing to do with it. Someone just reminded me to rewatch the audition tape. Oh my, watching this with hindsite is VERY VERY disturbing. As someone else said this is way beyond simple Exploitation.

I hate piling on but…

I don’t find Danny likeable, quite the contrary.
And I don’t find his voice all that interesting.

The irony is: he is the contestant with the most compelling back story, and he is the most skillful at manipulating his exposure.
And AI is sererely over pimpimg Danny with Kara’s over the top reaction to Hero Tuesday night being one of many examples.

So who couldn’t react to this set up with cynicism given the sordid history of this show.

Initially I liked Danny the ‘music teacher’ because I thought he could adapt quickly to all genres given his solid background.
And I thought he shone in the group number during Hollywood week, when he set up that wonderful three part harmony among his group.

But as quickly as it ascended, for me, Danny’s star has crashed and that is just the way Idol works. Be wary Danny, you probably peaked too early.

‘Danny has played us all and The vast Heartland vote will follow him to the bitter end. The only good thing is the fact that as other contestants fall to the wayside their votes will never move over to Danny since they arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t being fooled by his rhetoric and his woe is me Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m a widower attitude’

Tess, I hope and pray that you are never ever widowed – it IS a woe is me feeling even years later – I wish people would hate his singing, I like him but thought Rickey was better than him but I cant hate him because he lost his wife and talks about it, like I said before, that is the BEST therapy for him. I guess Danny just forgot to look in his manual on how to answer these questions in front of a large audience made up of a whole lotta cynical. WAIT! He didnt get one? He has never really done this before? Sheesh – maybe thats why he is not quite doing and saying things the perceived, right way. It seems to me he is just going on his emotions and what he feels and just damn well saying it, non rehearsed? maybe – ugh – I dont get the hate either

I am glad that this guy was given this gift – he went thru something extremely horrible and heart breaking, do I think he is the next Idol, no, but I am glad that he got this opportunity to keep his mind and soul busy busy busy to help him ease back into life and love again

I liked Danny at first. I liked his audition and didn’t fault him for his backstory. I really liked him in Hollywood with the Queen song. I am, however, finding him more and more annoying and his singing less and less awesome. I will, however, never hold pimpage against a contestant…sometimes they even deserve it, but they truly don’t control that part. I think he needs to stfu already about his wife and inspiration and crap. I believe he does have absolute control over that. (Reference David Cook and Adam’s cancer last year. He just wouldn’t go there.).

I have no favorite this year so far. I don’t know that I will.

the reason I made a comment about Adamà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s videos is that, while most of us donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think anything about them, there is a large portion of the public, and probably some AI watchers, who would. Sadly, even with as far as we have come as a nation, I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re quite à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  yet. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve even already seen some comments here about how people just canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t deal with the whole à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“overtly gay thingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  and donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t like Adam. Some donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t care but there is a portion that would be turned off.

Are people really turned off by Adam JUST because he’s gay? If so, that’s pretty sad. My AI world consists of MJ’s, I’m scared to venture into other places. :)

I’ve checked out a couple of Adam’s YouTube videos (not all of them so I may have missed something) and I’ve seen him on the show. And everything I’ve seen is SCREAMY. He’s the only person I’ve ever heard of that would a) choose a Cher song to sing on AI and b) make a Cher song screamy. If he chooses good songs and tones it down a bit, I may be inclined to like him. But right now, I feel like he’s kind of a one-trick pony and I normally would just be disinterested but he makes my ears bleed so I don’t like him. Has nothing to do with his sexuality.

However, I can’t think that anything any of the other contestants do to get you to vote for them will be as desperate as Danny’s dead wife pimping so I’m hopeful that the craziness will die down, at least temporarily, over the next 2 weeks.

I like him but thought Rickey was better than him but I cant hate him because he lost his wife and talks about it, like I said before, that is the BEST therapy for him.

Talking about it on television in front of millions of people is the best therapy for him? Honestly, I would think that sharing his grief privately with friends, family and counselors would be the best therapy for him.

David didnt lose his brother – he could still see, talk to and touch him. It is a Whole new can of worms when they are really really gone, never to be seen again and all so new. You have to remember Danny also went thru the part that David went thru even before her death, he has probably been dealing with pain, fear and loss for a long time now. I hope he never stfu about it or it will be very unhealthy, he is answering questions not putting out billboards about it all.

Mj, talking about it anywhere would be healthy, he just happens to be in a very public situation so he has the added benefit of this also and I am sure in therapy.

Way back during the audition phase, when Danny started out with the oh-I-hate-talking-about-this stuff, I truly thought we were about to get a joke audition, like someone who’s all broken up because he flunked out of air-duct-cleaning school because his favorite goldfish died. The way he talked just felt like actressing to me (you know, the way you can tell when someone is fake sneezing or fake laughing). Coulda knocked me over with a feather when they brought out the dead wife. (Actually, I was mildly shocked to find out he’d been married–to a woman–because he pinged so bad for me when I first saw him.)

I guess what grates on me is this presumption of his “message” giving people “hope” on a “deeper level.” Danny preachin’ at me through my TeeVee grosses me out as much as does someone trying to eye-fuck me through my TeeVee. It’s just haughty and intrusive. This is a silly singing show, not the Hour of Power. Sure, some AI contestants have inspired me over the years for various reasons, but I never felt as if they set out to inspire me, that it was their mission…and for me, that makes a huuuuge difference.

Edited to add: I am reminded of the bit from Carousel: “There’s nothin’ so bad for a woman as a man who thinks he’s good.” Also, this: just because his wife died does not make Danny a good person. Heck, my step-dad’s wife died (tragically, at a young age, albeit many years ago), and he’s an azzhole, lol.

He has never really done this before? Sheesh – maybe thats why he is not quite doing and saying things the perceived, right way. It seems to me he is just going on his emotions and what he feels and just damn well saying it, non rehearsed? maybe – ugh – I dont get the hate either

I’m with you on this one. He’s new to this. He’s only been on the actual live show for a week. It’s an emotional ride for everyone. He’s likely to curb his behavior. But in the meantime, he’s excited, he’s nervous, AND he’s still grieving. He’s making mistakes, but I want to cut the guy a break. Like he said himself, this isn’t a sob story he wants.

Having said that, I was tremendously annoyed at 3/4 of the judges’ reactions the other night, because he was not that great.

(Reference David Cook and Adamà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s cancer last year. He just wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t go there.).

I know what you mean, and I have the utmost respect for the way that David Cook handled himself last season (not just with regard to his brother), but I kind of wish everyone would stop comparing Danny to Cook. They aren’t the same person. They both have a source of great sadness in their lives, but it ends there. It just seems like an arbitrary standard that’s been set, and I’m not sure it’s a fair one.

Listen, Danny’s not my favorite – if I had a horse in the race this season, it would not be Danny. I think he’s a good singer, but I haven’t seen the greatness yet. I even find his mannerisms kind of condescending and off-putting. But the degree of anger and hatred that I’m seeing is really surprising.

So far I just don’t care for Danny,his personality, his voice are not that great to me. I am sick of the wife thing, I am sure he is griefing but we don’t have to know it.AI leave it alone. Yea DAVID COOK, a class act all the way. Even now when asked about his brother David says he is good and thank you for asking, meaning don’t talk about it anymore. I will give Danny a chance to impress me more although I find this whole year thus far, just plain lacking.

Ok, I will shut up now about Danny, it hits too close to home

Krazeek, I am leaning towards Adam too, maybe I am ready for something totally different like I was last year with Jason but could they BE any MORE different than each other, ha. I am looking forward to next tuesday.

Mj, talking about it anywhere would be healthy, he just happens to be in a very public situation so he has the added benefit of this also and I am sure in therapy.

I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree on this, because I don’t see the “added benefit” of sharing ones grief, of opening up the most private part of oneself to millions of total strangers.

The inevitable (and understandable, imo) backlash is just one of the many downsides of making private grief oh so very public.

Yea DAVID COOK, a class act all the way. Even now when asked about his brother David says he is good and thank you for asking, meaning donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t talk about it anymore. I will give Danny a chance to impress me more although I find this whole year thus far, just plain lacking.

Let’s stop talking about David Cook. He really isn’t the subject of this thread.

Im surprised and dont understand the hatred towards Danny, listening to the interview i find him and the other two, very likable, honest and down to earth persons, he doesnt deserve all the pimpin but neither the hatred, i wish them the best.

Im surprised and dont understand the hatred towards Danny, listening to the interview i find him and the other two, very likable, honest and down to earth persons, he doesnt deserve all the pimpin but neither the hatred, i wish them the best.

It’s called difference of opinion. We do that here.

Seriously peeps. I’m spending way too much time modding these threads.

Reminder: Do not make judgements on your fellow posters opinions.

Please stick to posting your opinion on the subject, and that’s it.

Gokey, you dumb cluck. How can anyone use y’know 7 times in a few sentences? That’s enough to keep you from winning the title. One must
be able to speak the King’s English, y’know? :)

Mj – HOW do you keep up with ALL of us lately, Oh my gosh – I saw, what, 15 pages of comments on the results show show alone, or something like that!!!!! Ok, I will agree to disagree too. I know I said I would shut up but can I say one more teensy thing? The reason people have wakes or funerals are for those left behind, you are up there in public, this person then the next taking about the person you just lost – you tend to laugh and cry as old memories are brought up about what this person did before they passed. It really and truly does help to share your grief and get feedback and go on and on about it, I dont know how to explain it, it is something that just makes you maybe not feel better but be better – this guys forum is a bit bigger than the folks at his church or where ever you would have a wake but it is kinda the same sort of thing?

Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s called difference of opinion. We do that here.

Seriously peeps. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m spending way too much time modding these threads DO NO MAKE JUDGMENTS ON YOUR FELLOW POSTERS OPINIONS.

Stick to posting your opinion on the subject, and thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s it.

im not judging mj, im sorry if it seems that way, im just really surprised.

My opinion on Danny when I first saw him on AI. I was compassionate about his loss when i first saw him on audition, but when he sang, eh, he’s just aiight for me. there’s nothing special in his voice. and when he sung Hero, there’s nothing special in there too. So I don’t get all the hype about him.

but when the show keeps mentioning about his deceased wife, i couldn’t stand it anymore, and when his friend/relative showed a picture of him and his deceased wife to the camera, enough is enough! seems to me like Danny don’t know how to handle his grief.

Well I personally think he is incredibly talented and I love his voice, so for me, much of the hype is warranted with the exception of Tuesday night’s madness that ensued after he sang. I actually even thought his reprise on Wednesday was better….so much feeling and passion in his voice….love it. But I can understand being on the other side of the fence with this as I felt that Season 3′s Fantasia pimping was nauseating and didn’t think she was all that because I did not like her voice. At all. So yeah, I can understand why people may think his voice doesn’t warrant the pimping he’s being given.

I do not think at all that he’s this manipulative character people seem to read him as. Someone mentioned that he needs to learn how to answer questions….I buy that theory much more than him being coniving and manipulative. I think he’s somewhat clueless to be quite honest and is just learning how to deal with all of this.

this guys forum is a bit bigger than the folks at his church or where ever you would have a wake but it is kinda the same sort of thing?

Not really. I’m sorry for his loss but there must really be something going on besides grief when he chooses to have a wake in front of millions of strangers, a portion of which don’t really want or care for his drama.

I dont know how to explain it, it is something that just makes you maybe not feel better but be better – this guys forum is a bit bigger than the folks at his church or where ever you would have a wake but it is kinda the same sort of thing?

If I’m speaking at a wake, I probably know most of the people in that room, so no, I don’t think it’s the same thing.

I’ll use myself as an example.

I run an American Idol blog. Let’s say, heaven forbid, I suffered a horrible loss today. I’d probably shut down the blog, or ask a few peeps to take the reigns while I dealt with the immediate aftermath. I would also explain briefly, what was going on.

But then, that would be the end of it. I’d deal with my grief privately, with friends, family, anonymous self-help groups, counselors. I would probably come back and continue the blog. And it would be incredible therapy, because I enjoy running the blog.

But, I would not be going on and on about my loss on my American Idol blog. Because I understand perfectly well that people come here for fun and to read about American Idol.

While some might appreciate hearing about my private life, there would be just as many peeps who would not appreciate my bloviating on and on about my loss. And I’m sure I’d be hearing about it from some of those people.

And you know what? If I open up my private life to a world of strangers, I open it up to criticism and negative feedback. That’s just the way it would be.

And none of it would help me at all.

But hey, maybe Danny is thriving on the attention, both positive and negative. If he is, more power to him.

But the minute his wife became his Idol sob story, the whole deal became fair game for criticism. And I don’t believe he has no control over it whatsoever.

Here’s an interesting example. When Idol peeps were preparing Constantine Maroulis’s first video package, the producers wanted to film his segment down at ground zero in NYC. Constantine lost a cousin he loved a lot in the Twin Towers.

He refused to do it.

So, while some things are out of Danny’s control, others aren’t.

I don’t hate Danny. I don’t even know him. But I do reserve the right to dislike the way Danny has chosen to play his character, “Danny Gokey, AI contestant” on the show. The fact that he’s a victim of tragedy does not give him special dispensation from criticism.

The difference between wakes and what is going on here is that people go to wakes because, for the most part, they personally KNOW or have some sort of contact with the person who passed whose life is being celebrated. Sure, having that support helps the person/people who are grieving. In this case, a small percentage of the actual viewing public actually KNEW Danny’s wife. The rest of us didn’t. But we’re expected to take part in his grieving process WHY, exactly? We didn’t even know who Danny was until a month ago. I wouldn’t have gone to the wake because I don’t know them.

Also, it’s a little different than when someone like a President or a Pope or someone passes. These are people who have already been in the public eye for years.

Hereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s an interesting example. When Idol peeps were preparing Constantine Maroulisà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s first video package, the producers wanted to film his segment down at ground zero in NYC. Constantine lost a cousin he loved a lot in the Twin Towers.

He refused to do it.

Whoa. I never knew that.

I knew the AI producers were sleazy bastards, but that is ridiculous. Pimping 911 for votes and “entertainment”??!!!

I just got a tiny but more respect for Constantine.

Mj– that was a brilliant post. Completely logical. Excellent examples.

Just brilliant.

However, I have a suspicion that logic is outlawed the the Heartland:)

Wants to lighten up, aware that people are getting tired of his story, Well, I feel like Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve just gotten my message across. But now I wanna, I wanna lighten up and just have a little fun with it and enjoy the ride. I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know, I guess maybe sometimes the, the consensus is that people are getting tired of my story or, yà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢know, or whatever, and yà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢know, thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s totally fine. Uh, but I wanna be able to, yà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢know appeal to people on a fun level too, as opposedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’yà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢knowà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’and also in the deeper level that I showed à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹em.

I find this statement interesting and I’m going to make an assumption about it:

For all Danny knew this may have been his one and only chance to sing this “message song”. He did what he felt he should do and so hopefully from here on out he will start choosing fun songs.

But honestly I do hope we are able to have a reprieve from this whole thing for a couple of weeks. Perhaps this is one bright spot in this whole different forum for AI8 which I personally don’t like too much.

I agree with MJ’s logic completely– I think it is completely toxic for Danny to be dealing with his grief on AI. I mentioned in another thread how I agreed with the TWOP recapper’s opinion that Danny going on AI to deal with his grief is almost akin to developing a drinking problem, and it’s too bad he wasn’t advised against this. I’ve dealt with deep loss, and I know how it overwhelms everything in your life, so I don’t fault Danny for not being able to keep his wife out of the picture, but I do fault him and those around him a little for making the decision to go on the show. I don’t think any shrink would advise a recent widower to do something like AI as a means of therapy. No way. Also, folk, what does any of this have to do with the Heartland?

Janerazor-
“I guess what grates on me is this presumption of his à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“messageà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  giving people à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“hopeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  on a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“deeper level.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  Danny preachinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ at me through my TeeVee grosses me out as much as does someone trying to eye-fuck me through my TeeVee…
just because his wife died does not make Danny a good person. Heck, my step-dadà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s wife died (tragically, at a young age, albeit many years ago), and heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s an azzhole, lol.”

I Agree! I liked Danny in the beginning, but he has really turned me off.
I.HATE.IT.WHEN.PEOPLE.BELIEVE.THEIR.OWN.PRESS.

It’s annoying when they use their fingers to make their # sign, but if they start talking about their “fans”…I’m going to puke. I cannot remember any AI contestant unless they were the winner or 1st runner up.
It’s still early to be cocky.

It is a strange world when even Constantine showed more dignity and restraint than Danny when offered the chance to go the sob story route.

The difference between wakes and what is going on here is that people go to wakes because, for the most part, they personally KNOW or have some sort of contact with the person who passed whose life is being celebrated. Sure, having that support helps the person/people who are grieving. In this case, a small percentage of the actual viewing public actually KNEW Dannyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s wife. The rest of us didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t. But weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re expected to take part in his grieving process WHY, exactly? We didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t even know who Danny was until a month ago. I wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have gone to the wake because I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know them.

Exactly. I have a close friend who lost her husband very suddenly in a freak work related accident. I had no problem with her calling me at odd hours because she couldn’t sleep or spending more time than usual at my house because she was having a rough time and needed somebody around. That’s what friends do. I think I even told her once or twice how incredibly strong and brave I believed she was being as she started getting back into her normal routine. She was grieving and she shared her grief with those who knew her and cared. But I don’t know Danny and other than basic human sympathy I don’t have any feelings one way or the other about his loss. I don’t watch American Idol for anything other than entertainment and I’d really like it if he would stop acting like AI is his personal one hour primetime tv time slot to grieve, inspire and send me a message of hope. *gag*

I think what bothers me the most about the “sob story” approach is how selective TPTB are. In Season 5, we had Gedeon McKinney
(black young man , age 17) with the most awesome voice. He was rather quirky and was the last to be eliminated. We were not told that his father died just weeks before the show started. His father was a musician and Gedeon wanted a music career so badly. Talk about sympathy votes and a talented singer. But it just didn’t happen.

MJ, I don’t mean to mention another season, but this is the perfect example of manipulation.

Just want to remind some people that AI does have a psychologist on staff to help any contestant in need of therapy. From this point onward, Danny should seek help if needed. He needs to focus on his music which is what his wife would want him to do. There is a backlash here and I would hope TPTB will back off.

Are people really turned off by Adam JUST because heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s gay? If so, thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s pretty sad. My AI world consists of MJà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m scared to venture into other places. :)

I believe it may be the extremely religious people who may find objections with Adam. It won’t be me (Grandma to four little ones) because I find Elton John quite entertaining, and he has the voice to back it up. I care about hearing some good music. Period.

Wow. I didn’t know about the Constantine story… even though I’m never a fan of his, I have more respect for him now. Danny… tsk tsk tsk

Thank you, MJ.

One of the younger female contestants was having anxiety attacks and that’s when I first heard about the psychologist on staff. At the time some said it wouldn’t be a good idea because the doctor could reveal private details that AI would use at a later date. I am thinking it was from Season 3.

Anyone remember who the contestant was?

Well I personally think he is incredibly talented and I love his voice, so for me, much of the hype is warranted with the exception of Tuesday nightà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s madness that ensued after he sang. I actually even thought his reprise on Wednesday was betterà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.so much feeling and passion in his voiceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.love it. But I can understand being on the other side of the fence with this as I felt that Season 3à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Fantasia pimping was nauseating and didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think she was all that because I did not like her voice. At all. So yeah, I can understand why people may think his voice doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t warrant the pimping heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s being given.

I do not think at all that heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s this manipulative character people seem to read him as. Someone mentioned that he needs to learn how to answer questionsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.I buy that theory much more than him being coniving and manipulative. I think heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s somewhat clueless to be quite honest and is just learning how to deal with all of this.

I agree. He, like everyone else, is learning to deal with all of this because it is something he has not experienced before. I understand where he is coming from because I have experienced the loss of spouses in my own family. I am sure it will die down, but besides being a talented singer, I will remember Danny as a sensitive person who had to deal with 2 very difficult things going on at about the same time. And being a person of faith myself, I admire any man who has that faith and can show himself to be a loving husband and caring human being.